Air distributing device



March 16, 1954 MARR 2,672,087

AIR DISTRIBUTING DEVICE Filed May 16, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIE... '2:

Jack M M14123 i2 a; 32 2 z (Ittomegi Patented Mar. 16, 1954 AIR DISTRIBUTING DEVICE Jack. M. Marr, Oakland, Calif., assignor to Aladdin Heating Corporation, a corporation of California Application May 16, 1950, Serial No. 162,180

Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in ventilating systems, and more particularly to an air distributing device or diffuser adapted to provide a variable angle of flow of air or gas into an enclosure and a variable volume of flow, while efiecting a diffusedor practically draftless delivcry of the air or gas from a supply duct into the enclosure.

The principal objectof the invention is to provide anew and improved form of device for the introduction and diffusion of ventilating or conditioning gases into the ambient atmosphere of an enclosure in such manner as to provide a thorough intermixing of the gases, and to provide simple and eflicient means for controlling the velocity, volume, and direction of flow of the gas introduced intothe enclosure in order to reduce the possibility of the occupants of the enclosure experiencing any sensation of drafts.

Broadly, the present invention involves the provision of means for discharging of conditioning air into the ambient atmosphere of an enclosure in such manner as to set up an aspirating or return flow in the ambient atmosphere so that it is drawn upward toward the discharge means and brought into contact with the supplied air by reason of induction, thus efiecting an eflicient mixing or scrubbing action between the supplied air and the enclosure air, and the provision in combination therewith of means for adjustably controlling the inlet or supplied air so that said air may be projected upwardly along the ceiling of the enclosure in a generally horizontaldirection or deflected downwardly in a vertical direction, or at any selected angle between the horizontal and vertical directions. 7 Where there is a' temperature differential between the ambient atmosphere within an enclosure and the air supplied thereto, it is usually desirable to effect rapid and eflicient intermixing of the, supplied air and the enclosure air at or in the immediate vicinity of the point of delivery of the supplied air, thereby tempering the latter in order to reduce the possibility that undesirable drafts in the habitable portions of the enclosure will ensue. In conventional devices looking toward the attainment of this desirable affect, the air is discharged in a solid or integratedv stream from the device in a generally horizontal direction through annular or peripheral openings. The amount of enclosure air that will be entrained by the primary jet or stream is a function of the aspect ratio, and the entrainment efiect is most pronounced when large changes in the ratio are made, i. (2., when 4 the interfacial area of contact between the inlet air stream and the enclosure air is increased to a pronounced degree. The amount of entrainmerit, and hence the diffusive efficient of the air upp device, can also be increased if the single or integrated supply stream is subdivided into a plurality of smaller supply streams sufliciently spaced apart so that they act as separate supply streams. The diffuser device of the pres-.- ent invention is based in part on these concepts in that it comprises means. for subdividing an air supply stream into a plurality of operatively separated streams each of which is provided with a relatively high aspect ratio, and, in combination with such means, further means for adjustably controlling the angle of discharge of the plurality of air streams into the atmosphere of the enclosure.

In summary, the invention in its preferred form embodies a circular element or face plate having a series of slots extending radially from the center region thereof, with said slots being formed by blanking or stamping. spaced portions of the plate in such manner that said portions are turned back to an angle of substantially ninety degrees with respect to the plate, whereby said turned back portions form turning vanes to direct air into the slots, a deflector element comprising a plate mounted above the turning vanes of the face plate and provided with a series of slots similar to those in the face plate, means for rotatively moving said deflector ele-.- ment with respect to the face plate so that air may bedirected into, and have its direction. of flow influenced by, the said turning vanes of the face plate, or to direct the air toward the slots otfthe face plate in such manner that its direction of how will not be influenced by the turning vanes, and throttling means comprising a damper element movably mounted in such manner with respect to the deflector element or plate so as to enable, in effect, a variation in the area of the slots in the deflector plate.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description takenin conjunction with the drawings forming part of this specification, and in which:

Q Figure l is a plan view of the diiiuser of the invention shown as a ceiling installation, with the deflector and damper plate elements shown as being aligned with each o'therand partially out of registry with the diffuser plate element; Figure 2 is a view in section taken along lines 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the difiusershowing the reverse side thereof;

Figure 4 is a detail view illustrating the com,- bi-nationl of parts whereby the deflector plate el'e-.- mentv may be fixedly positioned with respect to the diffuser plate element;

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the diffuser taken along lines 5-5 of Figure 3, and illustrating air flow therethrough when the slots of the deflector plate element are in approximately half-registry with the slots of the diffuser plate element; V 1

Figure 6' is a sectionalview, as taken along 3 lines 6-6 of Figure 3, but illustrating the direction of air flow from the diffuser when the slots of the deflector plate are fully in registry with the slots of the diffuser plate; and

Figure 7 is a view similar to that of Figure 2 of a modified form of the diffuser.

Referring to the drawings for more specific details of the invention, ii] indicates an enclosure wall, such as a ceiling, having an opening for an air supply duct I2. Positioned at the duct opening, as by an adapter ring [4 fastened to the duct [2 by screws [6, is an outer plate or diffuser member 18 attached to the ring l4 and the wall ID by screws 26. A rubber gasket 22 serves as a peripheral seal between the diffuser member 16 and wall ill. The member is is provided with an annular planar portion 24 of substantial area which is provided with a plurality of slots 26 radially arranged and spaced apart to define therebetween imperforate plate portions 28. The slots 26 are provided with outwardly divergent side edges 36 and 32 and inner and outer arcuate edges 56 and 36, respectively. Vanes 36 complementary to the slots 26 and preferably integral with the plate It extend upwardly from slot edges 36 normal to said plate.

A deflector plate 46 provided with a cylindrical skirt portion 42 is mounted for limited rotative movement with respect to plate I8 and carried in spaced relation therewith by bolt 44, sleeve spacer 46, and nut 48. Bolt 44 also serves as the pivotal mounting for a damper plate 56 having a cylindrical skirt portion 52 in enveloping relation to skirt portion 42 of the deflector plate.

Plates 46gand 56 are provided, respectively, with sets of slots 54 and 56, each of which sets of slots consist of slots similar in number and in shape to the slot 26 of plate l8.

Assuming that the slots of plates I8, 46 and 56 are in alignment, air from the supply duct ill will pass through the aligned slots and issue from the diffuser plate H3 in a direction normal to the plate, as shown in Figure 6. The duct air is split into as many separate air streams as there are slots in plate l8.

' When the plates 46 and 56 are pivoted together in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed from above the difiuser assembly, as in Figure 3, to bring the aligned slots of these plates over the imperforate portions 28 of plate 16, the opposite each slot 26 and travels through the slot in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of portion 24 of plate I8. This operational position of the diffuser is desirable, for example, when the inlet air is relatively low intemperature with respect to the enclosure air, while the first-described operational position of the difiuser is desirable, for example, when the inlet air is relatively high in temperature with respect to the enclosure air.

Intermediate operational positions, such as when the vanes 38 are located medially of the aligned slots 54 and 56 by appropriate rotative movement of plates 46 and 56', as in Figure 5, provide for air stream flow from plate l8 at approximately an angle of with respect to the planar portion 24 of the plate. Part of each air stream passing through slots 54 and 56 tends to pass outwardly from the aligned portion of the slot 26 therebeneath in a direction normal to plate J8, as indicated by flow arrows 58 in Figure 5,

while the balance of each air stream is turnedby the vane 38 and imperforate. plate portion 28, thus tending to issue from the next slot 26 substantially parallel to plate I8, as indicated by flow arrows 66. The component vertical streams and component parallel streams react on each other to provide resultant streams at approximately a 45 angle with plate [8, as indicated by flow arrows 62. It will thus be apparent that the angle of issuance of the air streams with respect to plate l8 can be varied from to substantially 0 by movement of deflector plate 46 with respect to diffuser plate l8, thus enabling theobtaining of optimum diffusive efliciency regardless of, the temperature relationshipbetween the incoming air and the enclosure air. 7 w l Damper plate 56 is provided so that the volume of flow of air through the diffuser assembly may be controlled. When plate 56 is rotatively positioned so that the slots 56 thereof are in complete registration with the slots 54 of plate 46, a maximum volume of flow through the assembly will ensue. As the degree of registration of slots 56 with slots 54 is decreased by rotative movement of plate 56 counter-clockwise with 'respect to plate, as viewed from above the difiuser assembly, as in Figure 3, the air flow volume through the assembly will be proportionally decreased.

If desired, means may also be provided in'the diffuser assembly for limiting the range of rotative movement of the damper plate 50 with respect to deflector plate 40 to the angle "subtended by aslot 26 of plate l8, and also to limit the range of rotative movement of deflector plate 66 with respect to the fixed difiuser plate l8 to a like angle. Means may also be provided to fixedly position the damper plate to the'deflecto'r plate for any desired position of adjustment.

The means for limiting the movementof the damper plate with respect to the deflector plate may comprise, for example, a member'64 secured to the upper surface of an imperforate portion of plate 56, as by welding, and carrying a downwardly extending finger 66 residable within notches 68 and 10 formed, respectively, 'in corresponding edges of adjacent slots 56 and 54 -thereby enabling complete registration of the slots 56 and 54, when the finger 66 resides within these niches. Upon pivotal movement of the damper plate with respect to the deflector plate so as to bring the slots 56 fully out of registration with slots 54, the finger 66 serves as astop member to prevent further rotative movemento'f plate 50 in'the same direction.

The means for limiting the range of relative movement between plate 46 and plate l8 may comprise, for example, an arcuate plate 12, se cured to the inside surface of skirt portion 42 and having a foot flange 74 extending between the rearward edges of two adjacent vanes '38, as indicated in Figure 4. The length of thefoot flange 14 is such as to limit movement'of plate 56 to that degree n cessary to bring the slots 54 thereof from a position of complete registration with slots 26 of plate l6 to a position of complete registration with the adjacent imperforate portions 28 of plate l8. Additionally, means in the form of a clamping plate F6 in threaded engagement with a screw I8 having a knurled headtil located at the outside of plate [6 may be provided to secure the plate 40 in any selected position with respect to plate [8. Rotative movement ofthe screw 18 will cause the clamping'plate T6 to tightly engage the foot flange 14 of plate l5.

The means for fixedly positioning the damper plate 50 with respect to the deflector plate 40 for any desired position of adjustment between these two elements may comprise a bolt 82 extending through an aperture in plate 40 and into an elongate slot 84 in plate 50, said bolt being carried by nut 86. Flange 88 of plate 64 prevents rotative movement of nut 86. A screw driver may be engaged with the slotted head of bolt 82 through a slot 26 in plate 18 to thread bolt 82 inwardly of nut 86 and thus clamp plates 80 and 50 together in the desired relative position. The screw driver, or similar tool, may be likewise used to engage finger 66 and rotate plate 59 with respect to plate 40.

A preferred embodiment of the diffuser is shown in Figure 7, wherein the same reference numerals as are appurtenant to the various elements of the basic embodiment of Figures 1-6 are used. The structure shown in Figure 7 differs from that previously described in that the slot-bearing annular portions of deflector and damper plates 48 and 50 are angularly inclined, as indicated at 90 and 92, respectively, to bring them into closer proximity and into substantial parallelism with the upper edges of the vanes 38.

With this arrangement, the general operational characteristics of the diffuser are the same in kind as those of the embodiment previously described, but the operational eificiency of the device is considerably improved, particularly with respect to the air control responsiveness of the device to changes in the setting of the deflector plate. The dished arrangement of the deflector and damper plates evidently provides for a more evenly distributed and uniform guiding of the air into the vanes by virtue of the fact that the open space between the deflector and face plates at the center of the unit is reduced.

While embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that all substantial equivalents of said embodiments are within the scope of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An air distributor device adapted to be secured at the outlet of an air supply duct comprising an outer plate having a plurality of spaced apart and alike slots radially disposed therein, means for mounting said plate across the outlet of said duct, a vane for each slot carried by said plate and extending from the inner side of said plate along a side edge of the slot and substantially normal to said plate, each vane being complementary in form to its respective slot, an inner plate, means pivotally supporting said inner plate in parallelism with said outer plate and in spaced relation to said vanes, means laterally enclosing the space defined between said inner and outer plate adapted to channel air passed through said inner plate to said outer plate, said inner plate being provided with a plurality of slots corresponding in number and substantially in form and spacing to the slots of said outer plate, said slots of said inner plate being registrable and non-registrable with the slots of said outer plate upon pivotal movement of said inner plate with respect to said outer plate.

2. An air distributor device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the slots in said plates have divergent side edges in the direction of the outer ends of the slots.

3. An air distributor device adapted to be secured at the outlet of an air supply duct comprising an outer plate having a plurality of spaced apart and alike slots radially disposed therein, said slots having divergent side edges in the direction of the outer ends of the slots, a vane for each slot carried by said plate and extending from the inner side of said plate along a side edge of the slot and substantially normal to said plate, each vane being complementary in form to its respective slot, means for mounting said plate across the outlet of said duct, an inner plate, means pivotally supporting said inner plate in spaced relation to said vanes, means laterally enclosing the space defined between said inner and outer plate adapted to channel air passed through said inner plate to said outer plate, said inner plate having a dished annular portion substantially parallel to the edges of said vanes, said inner plate being provided in said annular portion thereof with a plurality of slots corresponding in number and substantially in form and spacing to the slots of said outer plate, said slots of said inner plate being registrable and nonregistrable with the slots of said outer plate upon pivotal movement of said inner plate with respect to said outer plate.

4. An air distributor device as set forth in claim 3, comprising, further, a third or innermost plate mounted for pivotal movement in engagement with said inner plate and complementary in form thereto, means forming a lateral enclosure between said inner and innermost plates, said third plate having a plurality of slots corresponding in number, form and spacing to the slots of said other plates, said third plate being operable as a volume control or damper plate as it is pivoted to bring its slots out of registry with the slots of said inner plate.

5. An air distributor device adapted to be secured at the outlet of an air supply duct comprising an outer plate having a plurality of spaced apart and elongated apertures radially disposed therein, means for mounting said plate across the outlet of said duct, an inner plate having a plurality of spaced apart and elongated aperture radially disposed therein, means supporting said inner plate for pivotal movement in parallel spaced relation to said outer plate, means laterally enclosing the space defined between said inner and outer plates adapted to channel air passed through said inner plate to said outer plate, said outer plate having vanes extending into the space between said plates, said vanes being substantially normal to said outer plate and being disposed immediately adjacent the elongated apertures of said outer plate.

JACK M. MARR.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,255,312 Holland Feb. 5, 1918 1,517,434 Kluever Dec. 2, 1924 1,601,420 Wade et al Sept. 28, 1926 1,666,303 Platt Apr. 17, 1928 1,674,186 Mills June 19, 1928 1,719,090 Stillman July 2, 1929 1,783,005 Stewart Nov. 25, 1930 2,124,801 Van Alsburg July 26, 1938 2,881,345 Greenlaw Aug. '7, 1945 2,466,851 Honerkamp et a1. Apr. 12, 1949 2,470,488 I-Ionerkamp et a1. May 17, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 178,940 Switzerland Oct. 16, 1935 477,512 Great Britain Dec. 31, 1937 

